Bieber publicisit: Stolen laptop tweet not a hoax

This Sept. 30, 2012 photo released by the Las Vegas News Bureau shows singer Justin Bieber performing in concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Bieber tweeted to his nearly 29 million followers he was victimized during the show Tuesday, Oct. 9, after his laptop was stolen at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. But questions were raised Friday about the authenticity of Bieberís claim. Bieberís publicist Melissa Victor says itís not a hoax and the laptop was indeed stolen. (AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Steve Spatafore)

Bieber tweeted to his nearly 29 million followers he and his tour manager were victimized during the show Tuesday night at the Tacoma Dome. But questions were raised Friday about the authenticity of Bieberís claim.

Another Twitter user alluded to having the laptop and footage of the pop star. The account, though, linked to Bieberís new music video, which starts with text saying personal footage was stolen and uploaded ďillegally.Ē

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That prompted suspicions the supposed theft was a hoax meant to hype the new music video, which was released Friday.

But Bieberís publicist Melissa Victor says the theft report is true.

ďBe very clear, the laptop was indeed stolen in Tacoma. That was NOT a hoax,Ē Victor wrote in an email to the Associated Press.

She did not immediately reply to questions about the release of the music video or whether the Twitter account claiming to have footage of the pop start was connected to publicity. The Twitter user, (at)gexwy, did not respond to a message from The Associated Press.

Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said a report was filed online Wednesday, but he doesnít foresee police officers spending much time investigating.

ďA lot of people got played,Ē Fulghum said. ďIt became a big media frenzy, so I guess that was the idea.Ē

But Fulghum did acknowledge the pop starís laptop could have been stolen.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported Friday that Tacoma officials reviewed surveillance video of the room where Bieberís property was allegedly taken, but could not make a determination there was a theft.